Nels Alfred Lilja Jr.

Lilja, Nels Alfred, Jr. age 80, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2006, with his family at his side. Nels was born April 9, 1926, in Grace ton, Minnesota, to Nels and Minnie Lilja. Soon after his family moved to Lancaster, Minnesota. It was during that time in Lancaster that he and his three brothers accumulated an immeasurable amount of memories which they eagerly shared throughout their lifetime. His family moved to Elgin, Illinois when Nels was 14 years old and finally settled in Minneapolis. Nels graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944. Directly from high school he entered the Navy, and proudly served as a Radar Man on the ship U.S.S. Grasp. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946, at which time he anxiously returned home with thoughts for one person, Gloria Mae Brass. They were married on April 17, 1947. A son Darrell Kermit, was born in 1947, daughters; Sharon Alane in 1951 and Corinne Ninette in 1958. Nels attended the University of Minnesota and from the School of Forestry with a Bachelor's Degree. Nels worked hard for many years in the lumber business as was well respected by many. He loved to be with family and friends. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, spending weekends at the family cabin in Perham, Minnesota, and he was admired for his gift of entertaining and cooking. Nels is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gloria; son Darrell; daughters, Sharon and Corinne; son-in-law, Mitch; grandchildren, Tiffany, Garrett, Alycia, Lynessa, Dustin and Maggie; and a large extended family in Minnesota, Montana, Idaho and Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Minnie; sister, Ninette; brothers, Malcom, Pershing, Allen and Kermit. A memorial service was held on April 21, 2006 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla, Alaska; with Reverend Duane Hanson officiating.

This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.